City got their first point in seven weeks from a 0-0 draw against Sunderland at the KPS on Saturday…Nigel Pearson made two changes to his starting line-up with Mahrez and Konchesky in for King and Drinkwater.This change-round seemed to give City fresh impetus and they pushed forward in the opening stages creating several chances.
Wasilewski headed wide from a James corner; Vardy was denied by Pantilimon; and then the Sunderland keeper got down to a low shot from Mahrez. The Algerian international then set Schlupp up for an angled drive which found the side-netting.
After all these early chances City nearly went behind in the 15th minute when Sunderland broke forward and Fletcher went clear on goal looking certain to score before Schmeichel pulled off a fine point-blank save.
Ulloa then saw his shot blocked after combining well with Cambiassom before Schmeichel tipped a low shot from Johnson round the post.
Morgan kept the scoreline at 0-0 with a great block on a fierce Larsson shot, and then the final chance of the half went begging as Ulloa nodded a James corner over from close in.

City, unchanged for the second half, continued their quest for a precious goal. Pantilimon saved well from James; and Cambiasso set up Mahrez, who feinted past his marker down the right and bore down on goal before lashing his shot into the side-netting.
A magnificent 40 yard pass from Ulloa, was taken well by Mahrez who made his way into the area before going down after a nudge in the back from Reveillere. There were howls of protest from the home fans, but the ref was unmoved.
City’s best move of the game came when James and Ulloa carved a path through the visitor’s defence with a precise one-two but James’ shot under pressure didn’t have enough to beat Pantilimon.
Vardy managed just one of his trademark charges upfield but to no effect and he made way for Nugent soon after.

He soon had a chance after a nod down from Ulloa, but snatched a shot across goal when he had the space to continue into the penalty area and pass.
Knockaert and Wood were also introduced into the action late on, but City couldn’t find a way through and had to be content with a point.

Looking at the forthcoming fixture list, this was a game that Pearson’s men had to win, although it did at least raise them out of the relegation zone for the time being.